Cincinnati needs the Denver Broncos to lose to the 15-1 Kansas City Chiefs. Kansas City is coming off a 29-10 thrashing of the Steelers and clinched the number one seed in the AFC.
Entering Week 17, the Bengals also needed the Indianapolis Colts and the Miami Dolphins to each lose one of their last two games.
The Colts fell to the New York Giants in Week 17 45-33 and were eliminated from playoff contention. The Dolphins defeated the Browns, though, and the Bengals will now need Miami to lose to the New York Jets in Week 18.
If the Bengals do get in, they will be the fourth team in NFL history to make the playoffs after losing at least eight of their first 12 games.
“They are not going to want us in this tournament,” head coach Zac Taylor said after Week 18. “I promise you.”